In this episode, Mike and Chaya chat with Youssef Sleiman, a neurodivergent writer and gifted individual. Yousef details his personal journey with understanding 2e (Twice Exceptional), how he leverages his differently thinking brain to the cause of neurodiversity, the transformative power of storytelling on self-discovery, and deep dives the neuroscience behind Twice Exceptionality.

We Also Cover:

• The Folly of IQ Tests
• Misconceptions of Neurodivergent Intellect
• Tips for Identifying 2e
• The Reality of Giftedness vs Media Portrayals
• Brain Structures and Functions
• Trauma and Neurological Changes
• Developmental Psychology

Quotes:

• "Their neurodivergence is so far from the neurotypical that the things that they are processing and trying to work through -- types of existential questions or types of physiological questions."
• "There's no coincidence that most young adult literature works this way, where you have a protagonist who's starting off seemingly normal, but things are a little bit hard for them."
• "I do distinctly remember there being an ongoing tension where my teachers would know this about me, would have seen a score on file and been told, 'his mother doesn't want him in these the classes, so stretch him in any way you can.'"
• "In a in a typical brain, there's a certain amount of gray matter, how many however many ounces in the fMRI scans and in autopsies. There's a greater amount of gray matter in gifted brains."

About Youssef:

Youssef Sleiman, a 2e neurodivergent professional writer, combines creativity, AI tools, and SEO expertise to make important topics engaging. As a former copywriter for top brands, Youssef harnessed tools like Frase, ChatGPT, and Google’s AI to analyze search rankings and create high-performing articles and blog posts. His unique blend of left-brain and right-brain strengths ensures cutting-edge content. Drawing from his experience as a newspaper reporter, Youssef’s problem-solving skills enhance his work as a copywriter, resulting in informative and engaging campaigns.

Connect With Youssef:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ysleiman/
• https://www.facebook.com/youssef.writer/
• https://www.amazon.com/stores/Youssef-R.-Sleiman/author/B0D29XRS36
• https://www.brightinsight.support/
• https://intergifted.com/

Related Reading:

• Identity Development Theory: The Game!™
• Gifted Needs and Tabletop Roleplaying Games: The Hows and Whys from a Neurodivergent Dungeon Master

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Coaching & Workshops: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram

We sit down with Navya Adhikarla, an autistic ADHDer who shares her story of social isolation and alienation both in the U.S. and India. Her lifelong struggle with identity, coupled with the roadblocks she experienced in education and business, led her to becom a champion of psychological safety and advocate for neurodiverse accommodations -- transitioning from invisibility to authenticity.

We Also Cover:

• Neurodiversity as a Workplace Asset
• The Complexities of Social Interaction
• Reclaiming Identity Beyond Societal Expectations
• Trust Through Vulnerability
• Self-Advocacy and Self-Efficacy
• Imposter Syndrome
• Culture Differences in Neurodiversity Awareness Between India and United States

Quotes:

• "And I guess that's that's the whole story of my life because I've been searching for so many things outside, but eventually, I end up creating them myself."
• "The thing that you're searching for is right inside you. It's just you. You don't have to go searching for it."
• "You truly want someone to hear you out and see you, and you don't want to be invisible."
• "I'm super scared about when I will find a place that will truly see me, truly cherish me for who I am and the skills I have, because I don't want to save my skills or capacities for anything. I want to utilize them to do something good."

About Navya Adhikarla:

An insatiably curious and innovative designer, Navya brings an interdisciplinary perspective to complex challenges. With an engineering degree and a Duke University Master’s in Engineering Management, she has experience in program management, go-to-market consulting, tech ethics research, IT consulting, and university leadership. Navya applies human-centered, inclusive design thinking to product, marketing, strategy, and accessibility projects. Her core values of integrity, empathy, courage, and hope guide her approach.

Connect with Navya:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/asnbhhanu5/
• https://navyaadhikarla.wordpress.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/half.cooked.artist/
• https://thefryingpansandflyingpuns.wordpress.com/

Related Reading:

• (Don’t) Look me in the Eye: The Challenge of Eye Contact – Psychological Safety - Guest Post by Navya

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Coaching & Workshops: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram
• Want To Be a Guest? https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/booking

We welcome "Head Boss Woman" Sophia Randall onto the show to share her personal journey of navigating an unkind corporate world, how she honed her neurodivergent traits to thrive, and the impact mirroring behaviors had on her mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

We Also Cover:

• Building Neuro-inclusive Work Environments
• Self-Acceptance and Leaning Into "Uniqueness"
• Fostering Empathy Among Employees
• Work-Life Balance When Neurodivergent
• The Toll Masking Has On Mental Health
• Setting Boundaries At Work And Home

Quotes:

• "When we talk about empathy, it's not just going to some training program and and just not a check mark that you get for yourself, but it's really about understanding the other person and how the other person operates"
• "We're not machines. We have beautiful minds and sometimes we need a little bit of a break to have maintenance work done.
• "I was a quiet rebel, I never spoke up, and I didn't know my own power, my own inner strength."
• "It's so important for the neurodivergent community to shut those negative comments off because they'll keep coming. It's up to us to build that that wall, that boundary, that fort around us, because we cannot control other people. We cannot control how people behave, but we have power within ourselves to move to an environment that respects us.

About Sophia Randall:

Sophia Randall is an adept professional with extensive experience in business and project management. Passionate about embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) principles into every facet of business management and leadership, she collaborates closely with stakeholders to translate overarching goals into practical, inclusive strategies. With a background in Professional Psychology, focusing on Industrial and Organizational Psychology, she addresses both the operational and human dimensions of organizations, creating a truly efficient workplace.

Connect With Sophia:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophia-randall-4b27578a/
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560183842872

As always, thanks for lending us your ears and keep igniting that spark!

Stay Connected:

• Website: https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/
• ADHD Coaching & Workshops: https://www.sparklaunch.org/
• Chaya on Instagram
• Mike on Instagram
• Want To Be a Guest? https://sparklaunchpodcast.com/booking